§ 79. Mr. CARR-GOMMasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received a draft of certain proposals for dealing with casual labour under the National Insurance Act from the hon. Member for Limehouse; whether this has been considered by the Insurance Commissioners; and whether the Government will undertake to make some alteration in the working of the Act on the lines proposed?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. No system of paying contributions upon a daily basis would be possible under the present provisions of the Act. At the same time, successful schemes have been already established in different parts of the country for dealing with casual labour under very varied conditions, and they are probably capable of considerable extension. I should be glad to discuss the situation with hon. Members, but until further experience of the working of the present schemes has been obtained, it must not be assumed that any change in the basis of payment by legislation will be required.